Wilma Charlene Burgess, was born on June 11, 1939 in Orlando, Florida. After high school, Burgess attended Stetson University, Orlando, to study for a degree in physical education and had no thoughts of a career in music. She was initially only interested in pop music but a visit to an Eddy Arnold concert changed her mind. After graduation in 1960, she was persuaded by a friend to go to Nashville to sing some demos of his songs. Owen Bradley was impressed with her voice and promptly signed her to Decca. Between 1965 and 1969, primarily specializing in big ballads, she had Top 20 US country chart hits with “Baby,” “Don’t Touch Me,” “Misty Blue” and “Tear Time.” In 1973, she left Decca and joined Shannon (owned by Jim Reeves Enterprises), where she managed some minor hits, including a Top 20 duet with Bud Logan (one time leader of Reeves’ band, the Blue Boys) on “Wake Me Into Love.” Her last chart hit was in 1975 and she recorded for RCA Records until 1978.

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